Pop Quiz: Mark Eitzel

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Aidin Vaziri | Mark Eitzel’s new album, “Don’t Be a Stranger,” had a difficult birth. Originally slated for his long-running band American Music Club, it turned into a solo release after the group effectively fell apart. The San Francisco singer-songwriter also tried self-financing the release but didn’t have much luck finding underwriters. That was before the heart attack. Having powered through the setbacks, Eitzel, 53, delivers another album of brilliantly contemplative tunes and self-deprecating wit.

Mark EitzelQ: You set out to make an album by the American Music Club. What happened? A: Out of the original members that started the band, there were only two of us left in the group. It was a sham. It was time to end it. Q: So is that it for the band or should we expect a reunion tour in 2025? A: As far as I’m concerned, that’s it. Q: Don’t you think your name carries the same weight? A: I don’t know. It’s a brand. A lot of those records were so beautifully made; you’re always in the shadow of them. You can’t deny it. Q: Just to make things interesting, you also suffered a heart attack while making this record. How bad was it? A: It was bad. I asked the doctor, “How bad was it on a scale of 1 to 10?” She said it was a 10. Read more.